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New development has arisen in the prolonged saga between the Amateur International Boxing Association (AIBA) and Indian boxer Sarita Devi. Unfortunately, the development does not favour the Indian star. Following her outburst at the medal ceremony at the Asian Games in Incheon, Devi had come under the spotlight for all the wrong reasons.
AIBA say Sarita Devi will face a heavy punishment
Despite Devi’s written apology accepted by the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA), AIBA has vowed to impose a strong punishment for her actions. AIBA president CK Wu was adamant that a ruling will result in a punishment for the Manipuri boxer.
“She will be heavily punished, there will be zero tolerance. It was totally unacceptable behaviour for any competition in any sport, I think her boxing career is finished. Every athlete should fully respect the decisions of referees and judges. So this boxer is facing very severe punishment. She has damaged her own country, India has been damaged," Wu said.
AIBA is holding its World Congress in South Korea where Wu demanded that everyone should follow the sporting spirit of the game. "If you accept being the winner, you have to accept being the loser. If everyone behaved like that, what type of competition will we have?," he said.
It all started after Devi was not awarded the win in her bout against Korean Jina Park, despite being the superior boxer in their women's lightweight semi-final bout at the Asian Games. Devi tried to file a complaint but received no support from the Indian oficials. At the medal ceremony that followed the event, Devi refused to accept her bronze medal.
Devi has the support of Indian officials
After apoligising to Boxing Indian, the officials are supporting Devi in her quest to return to the boxing ring. Sports Minister Sarbananda Sonowal has vowed to get justice for Devi. "I am really hurt and shocked by what AIBA president has said. Hearing his comment, I would like to say that the whole ministry is behind Sarita. I have instructed the Jiji Thomson to take up the matter with the Boxing India at the earliest. We want Sarita to get justice. Our government will continue to fight for her and we ensure full support to the boxer," said Sonowal.
In an interview with DNA, The Indian Olympic Association (IOA) secretary general Rajeev Mehta is prepared to take matters to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), should the necessity arise. "Let the decision come. We will certainly talk to sports ministry first before challenging the verdict in CAS," Mehta said.
